Meet the “Faces of Clean Energy”
Clean Energy For America Education Fund (CE4AEF) and Clean Energy for America (CE4A) have launched the Faces of Clean Energy program to highlight the people powering the U.S. transition to clean energy. Work in renewables? Share your story today.
At Clean Energy for America, our mission is to amplify the voice of the 3-million strong clean energy workforce — and their stories. And now we’re excited to invite you to check out a big, new launch:
Meet the Faces of Clean Energy.
A project of CE4A and Clean Energy for America Education Fund, the Faces of Clean Energy program will spotlight testimonials from professionals powering American clean energy to new heights.
Who are the Faces of Clean Energy? They’re workers like Peter Gruenbaum from Seattle. He’s a senior software developer with Enel Green Power, and he works on solar and battery projects in Texas. In fact, as Peter wrote, he “played a critical role” in helping Enel's first solar farm with batteries get up and running. That facility is located east of Dallas, Texas, Peter is proud of his contributions to it and to clean energy.
“It means the world to me that I feel like I am doing something that makes a difference.”
Who are the Faces of Clean Energy? They’re workers like Fernando Zurita from Howell, New Jersey. Fernando joined the solar industry during the height of the pandemic, and he’s grateful to have found a good-paying job in a successful industry.
“I was searching for employment amidst the peak of the pandemic back in late 2020. An interaction on LinkedIn with the CEO of my company sparked my interest in working and advocating for the solar industry. It was great to see how during one of the worst employment periods in the U.S., the solar industry was able to continue to recruit and look for talent. I'm glad I found myself here.”
Who are the Faces of Clean Energy? They’re workers like Tenley Dalstrom from California. Tenley is director of the CalTestBed Program at New Energy Nexus. There, she helps innovators and entrepreneurs bring clean energy concepts to market. By participating in Faces, she hopes to make Americans more aware of the cascade of benefits of renewable technologies like wind and solar.
“Investment should be made in clean energy jobs because they provide the most profound benefits for the American public with a multiplier effect across sectors. Clean energy leads to better health, safety, and security in addition to social, environmental, and economic justice. Clean energy provides energy independence, and it’ll lead to lower costs and greater equity for communities across the country.”
Why share these stories? We know that Americans broadly support clean energy, but opponents are waging a campaign to prevent the move to renewables and stop the benefits: more jobs, lower monthly bills, and a healthier environment.
So, with these stories, we want policymakers and the public to learn about renewables and the benefits of federal investments in clean energy — through the voices of the workers in the industry.
There are many more stories like Fernando’s and Peter’s. Visit the Faces of Clean Energy webpage today to see the testimonials of workers who span a dozen states, small and large businesses, multiple regions of the country, and various professions within the industry.
And, they’re just the beginning. Watch for updates on CE4A’s Twitter and LinkedIn because more stories are coming. (In fact, you can become the next Face of Clean Energy if you share your experience today).
